There Are Four Top Idol Uncles - Chapter 101

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 101

* * *

“Yewon, in a public audition program?”

Time Enter Conference Room.

At Hwang PD’s call, three people gathered: Doha, Yewon, and Yeongeo.

“Yeah. It’s a drama role audition. This time we’re thinking of filming it as an OTT program, which is a bit unique. We’re not planning to make it long, just a 6-episode special. A new OTT platform is launching, and they said they need something that can generate buzz.”

“…But turning a drama audition into a standalone program is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Doha showed a somewhat bewildered expression at Hwang PD’s explanation.

Yewon was equally flustered.

‘I never saw anything like this in my past life?’

An actor audition program? And one suitable for child actors at that – she’d never heard or seen such a thing.

‘…Has the future somehow changed?’

But why? Where did the future change?

While Yewon wondered, Hwang PD continued his explanation.

“It’s called a drama audition, but it’s essentially just an actor survival program, and you can think of the first place prize as being the drama’s lead role. There’s no law saying only singers can do survival shows, right? Actors can do it too.”

“I understand the concept.”

“Oh, you do? Then-“

“But Yewon is still too young. For her to go on a survival program and compete with other adult actors is a bit…”

As Doha immediately became defensive, Hwang PD grinned as if he’d expected this.

“Who said Yewon should compete with adults? Of course that would be ridiculous.”

“Then…?”

“This survival show will be only among child actors.”

“!”

A child actor survival program?

The three people excluding Hwang PD wore bewildered expressions as they chose their words.

“…But if you do a survival show targeting children… there will be backlash. People will say you’re making kids compete from such a young age, that it could cause feelings of deprivation… there will probably be that kind of public opinion…”

Hwang PD confidently responded to Yeongeo’s words.

“Actually, this drama has quite a significant portion for child actors.”

“!”

“And we need close to a dozen child actors, not just one winner. So for the first time in audition history, we won’t just give a role to the winner – we’ll give roles to all participants.”

Roles to all participants…

That would certainly seem to reduce the hurt the children might experience.

“Since we’re targeting child actors, we’ll approach this carefully too. We’ll do our best to ensure no child actor gets hurt. Besides the protagonist, there are various other roles – some with significant screen time, some smaller – it’s diverse. For rookie child actors, each of these small opportunities would be precious, right? As you all know, there really aren’t many places for child actors to stand these days.”

As the three seemed to waver under his continued persuasion, Hwang PD spoke once more.

“Above all, the concept of this audition program is ‘acting camp.’ We plan to focus on ‘growth’ rather than ‘competition.’ We’ll assign mentors to help develop the children’s acting skills. They’ll provide acting lessons as well as advice to the kids. For aspiring actors without agencies, we’ll invite management representatives to help them find agencies too.”

“!”

“We won’t use titles like ‘winner’ or ‘champion’ either. We’ll simply give ‘the role that best suits each actor.’ Well, of course… the child who acts best will likely get the lead role.”

“Hmm.”

Yeongeo drew up a blueprint in his mind.

When he first heard it, he thought it might be too burdensome a project for young Yewon.

But the more he listened, the better the concept sounded, and above all, with Hwang PD, the buzz would be guaranteed.

There seemed no need to be particularly resistant to it.

“Well then, what kind of drama is it?”

“Ah! I forgot to explain that.”

Hwang PD said this and chuckled to himself before adding:

“The drama title is 【This Life is All About Money】.”

“!!”

At the all-too-familiar title, Yewon’s eyes widened.

‘This is how the Quest reward came!’

The Quest had changed the future!

…Though she never expected the opportunity to come in such a tremendous form.

“It’s based on a web novel, and the original was hugely successful with many fans. We can say it’s guaranteed to generate buzz. Plus, if we promote it big from the start like this? In this age of great PR, wouldn’t this be amazing?”

“Certainly… it would be good for making a name. Other child actors would definitely want to appear too.”

“They’re all lining up and waiting right now.”

Hwang PD said triumphantly. He was that confident in this program.

“The director is Jeong Dami, who directed 【To You Across a Thousand Years】. She’s still young but quite talented.”

“Ah. I saw that movie too. It was really interesting. The direction was fresh too.”

Yeongeo nodded.

“That’s not all. Do you know where that drama is being produced?”

“…?”

Where could it be to make him act like this…?

The three looked at Hwang PD with puzzled eyes.

“It’s being produced by Sumbbit Film. Director Yeon Taejung is preparing properly. He’s really sharpening his blade to make this succeed.”

“!”

At those words, Doha and Yewon’s gazes met.

‘…Grandfather…!’

Thinking that all of this was Taejung’s arrangement for Yewon, even Yewon, who usually didn’t budge at most things, felt slightly flustered.

‘…Isn’t the scale of this flattery too big…?!’

And to flatter Uncle instead of me…! Why did you target me…!

It was too burdensome.

Yewon did her best not to break out in cold sweat.

“And there’s a friend Yewon will be really happy to see.”

“?!”

A friend I’ll be happy to see?

Yewon looked at Hwang PD with bewildered eyes.

I don’t have friends though?

“Huh? Yewon has a close friend. You know, the one who caused quite a stir recently.”

“…Don’t tell me?”

It was Doha, not Yewon, who answered.

“Right! Doha caught on immediately. Baek Yun is appearing, Yewon.”

“!!!”

“You’re really close with Baek Yun, right? It’ll be fun and good to work with a close friend.”

I’m… close with Baek Yun? This is news to me…?

Yewon narrowed her eyes.

“Umm. Well, we are… friends… I suppose…”

Yewon used the word ‘friends’ out of courtesy.

But inwardly, she couldn’t shake her bewilderment.

He and I are nothing more or less than a business drama couple, right?

“Huh? You’re not very close?”

Sensing something amiss in the atmosphere, Hwang PD awkwardly scratched his head.

“That’s strange. Baek Yun said you two were really close, that you’d promised each other your futures, something like that.”

“!!!”

At those words.

Doha nearly fainted for a moment.

“That’s not true.”

“Huh?”

“There’s no way Yewon would promise her future to anyone. Yewon is only 7 years old now, not even old enough for school yet. How dare some kid say such things when I’m still wide awake and watching? Especially when it doesn’t seem like he got Yewon’s consent – this is really bewildering.”

“Uh? Um… Doha, you should… breathe while talking…”

“Hey, breathe.”

“That survival program is already feeling burdensome from the start. I think our Yewon should-“

When Doha momentarily lost his composure and spoke, Yewon pressed his hand firmly once again.

“Uncle!”

“Huh?”

Doha’s rationality returned instantly at Yewon’s innocent voice.

“I want to do this!”

“!!!!!”

At that moment.

Doha froze so completely that he could almost hear a cracking sound from somewhere.

“Baek Yun will be in it too, so it’ll be fun. I want to do this!”

Of course, Yewon couldn’t say, ‘This is a Quest reward from that drama, so I have to do this. I think I can make this a huge hit!’ so she just used Baek Yun as an excuse.

But naturally, Doha couldn’t hear it that way.

“Be-because Baek Yun is in it… you want to… do this…?”

“Yeah!”

At Yewon’s answer that seemed to drive the nail in once more.

Doha squeezed his eyes shut.

Lately, he had been feeling like the world was picking fights with him quite frequently.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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